Latest plane crash in South Korea: Bird strike warning was issued minutes before Jeju Air flight that killed 179 people
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Latest plane crash in South Korea: Bird strike warning was issued minutes before Jeju Air flight that killed 179 people

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

Moment as the Jeju Air plane skids down the South Korean runway before crashing

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Air traffic controllers warned the pilot of a South Korean passenger plane of a possible bird strike shortly before the crash that killed 179 people.

The Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 flight crashed at South Korea’s Muan Airport on Sunday morning. Authorities have confirmed that all 175 passengers and four of the six crew members were killed. The only two survivors were crew members who were sitting in the back of the plane at the time of the crash.

It is the deadliest plane crash on South Korean soil in its history.

The Jeju Air plane burst into flames after it veered off the runway and crashed into a wall. Footage showed the horrific moment the fully loaded plane burst into flames.

The Department of Transport has confirmed that air traffic controllers warned the pilots of the ill-fated flight about the risk of bird strikes just three minutes before the plane landed. A minute later, the pilot declared an emergency call before attempting to land the plane.

However, experts expressed skepticism that a collision with a bird could cause such damage.

“I can’t believe the whole family just disappeared.”

The family member of some victims of this morning’s Jeju Air plane crash said his “heart hurts so much” after it was reported that all passengers on board the flight were declared dead.

Maeng Gi-su, 78, said BBC His nephew and his nephew’s two sons had been on the flight.

He said they went to celebrate the youngest person taking his college entrance exam. Her father had taken her as a treat.

“I can’t believe the whole family just disappeared. My heart hurts so much,” he says.

Tom WatlingDecember 29, 2024 12:47 p.m

So far, authorities have identified 88 people.

At least 88 bodies have been identified so far, officials said, as rescue workers continued to search the crash site.

However, all but two of the 181 people on board the Jeju Air flight were declared dead.

Tom WatlingDecember 29, 2024 12:43 p.m

The family of the Jeju Air plane said there was no hope of survival

The families of those killed in this morning’s Jeju Air plane crash were told at a briefing that there was no hope of survival.

South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported that one of the people who had gathered at the airport to listen to an update from officials asked: “Is there no chance of survival at all?”

“Unfortunately, it seems that way,” replied Lee Jeong-hyeon, chief of the Muan Fire Department.

Tom WatlingDecember 29, 2024 12:42 p.m

Update: All passengers on Jeju Air flight killed, authorities say

All 175 passengers aboard the Jeju Air flight that crashed this morning have died, local authorities said.

The total number of fatalities is 179. Two of the six crew members were the only survivors. They had been sitting at the back of the plane.

Tom WatlingDecember 29, 2024 12:29 p.m

Lammy issues statement on crash in South Korea

Tom WatlingDecember 29, 2024 12:19 p.m

What do we know about the aircraft involved?

The Boeing 737-800 involved in the accident was originally ordered by Ryanair and delivered to the airline’s base in Dublin on September 4, 2009. She flew for the Irish airline for seven years. It was withdrawn from circulation in November 2016. Ryanair maintains a younger fleet than many airlines.

The 737 was returned to lessor SMBC Aviation Capital. In February 2017 it was leased to Jeju Air and flew from Dublin to Seoul Gimpo Airport via Baku.

Since then it has been used for high-frequency regional flights. In the week before the accident, the plane flew mainly to and from Muan and the resort island of Jeju. Destinations included Bangkok, Nagasaki, Taipei, Kota Kinabalu and Beijing.

Two days before the crash, the Boeing 737 was on a routine flight from Jeju to Beijing when it was diverted to South Korea’s main airport, Incheon. The flight later continued to the Chinese capital.

(Simon Calder)

Simon Calder, travel correspondent December 29, 2024 11:59 am

South Korea will observe a week-long mourning period

South Korea will today hold a week-long mourning period to commemorate the victims of the Jeju Air flight, acting President Choi Sang-mok announced.

Tom WatlingDecember 29, 2024 11:48 am

Moment as the Jeju Air plane skids down the South Korean runway before crashing

Moment as the Jeju Air plane skids down the South Korean runway before crashing

A Jeju Air passenger plane with 181 people on board skidded across the runway at Muan International Airport in South Korea on Sunday, December 29, and crashed. Yonhap news agency reported, citing fire authorities, that all of the missing passengers except the two rescued were presumed dead and search efforts had now shifted to recovering the bodies. The plane appeared to be landing without its landing gear down when it touched down on the tarmac, skidded and went off the runway before hitting a wall and bursting into flames. Jeju Air flight 7C2216, which arrived from the Thai capital Bangkok, landed at the airport in the south of the country shortly after 9 a.m. (0000 GMT), South Korea’s transport ministry said.

Tom WatlingDecember 29, 2024 11:29 am

Rescuers examine the Jeju Air crash site at Muan Airport in South Korea

Rescue workers examine the Jeju Air crash site at Muan Airport, South Korea

Rescue workers surveyed the wreckage of a Jeju Air passenger plane carrying 181 people that crashed at Muan International Airport in South Korea on Sunday, December 29. Jeju Air flight 7C2216, which arrived from the Thai capital Bangkok, landed at the airport in the south of the country shortly after 9 a.m. (0000 GMT), South Korea’s transport ministry said. It burst into flames after skidding across the runway and crashing. Yonhap news agency reported, citing fire officials, that except for the two rescued passengers, all of the missing passengers on the Boeing 737-800 flight were believed to be dead and that search efforts had now shifted to recovering bodies.

Tom WatlingDecember 29, 2024 11:00 am

South Korea’s suspended Yoon offers condolences after plane crash

South Korea’s suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed his “deep condolences” to the families of the people who died in the plane crash at Muan International Airport on Sunday.

Mr. Yoon was suspended after declaring martial law in South Korea earlier this month.

(South Korean Presidential Office)

Tom WatlingDecember 29, 2024 10:25 am

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